Finding a well-made but reasonably priced latte in Washington DC can seem like a herculean task. But as a former barista, I say: please, please don’t succumb to a 7-Eleven coffee (or end up with an $8 latte that’s not even that good).

Although the base prices of these lattes don’t seem that different from the competition…Shefor example, charges $5 for its version, but $1 for the plant-based milk and $1.50 for the syrup — a difference of a few dollars can add up if your caffeine fix is ​​a daily habit. Here, I searched for a standard 12-ounce hot latte (or 16-ounce iced) for less than $5, before tax or tip. Any surcharge for non-dairy milks could not tip the price beyond this limit.

Here are five local joints that offer both affordability and quality:

1787 Columbia Road, Northwest

It’s clear that this Adams Morgan restaurant pays close attention to every item on its menu, from homemade pastries to espresso drinks made with Ecuadorian coffee. Its latte costs $4 and the store doesn’t charge extra for plant-based milk, meaning you can add a homemade syrup like lavender/honey or salted caramel and still stay under $5.

Locations in Brookland, Petworth and Downtown DC

As a Baltimore native, it makes me happy to add this Charm City cafe to the list. Zeke’s opened a second roastery in Washington, D.C. in 2013 and continued to roast its coffee in small batches, a method that ensures a fresher bean and better flavor. All three District stores offer lattes starting at $4. Iced lattes add about 25 cents to your total, but alternative milks are available at no extra cost.

6917 Laurel Avenue, Takoma Park

This cafe serves Counter Culture Coffee, a sustainable roaster that organizes weekly tastings in its DC training center – for its espresso drinks. Lattes cost $4.75 and the menu is varied.

Locations in Del Ray, Fairlington and Old Town

I can forgive St. Elmo for charging 99 cents to add oat milk (or 50 cents to add soy and 80 cents to add almond milk), because full-size lattes cost 3.89 $.

4885 MacArthur Boulevard, Northwest

What this Palisades cafe lacks in subway accessibility, it makes up for in its coffee prices. Here, a latte will cost you $4, with an extra 50 cents for plant-based milk. Plus, syrups in flavors like lavender/vanilla or mocha are only 23 cents more.